The Aspen Institute was founded in the United States in 1950, upon the initiative of a group of intellectuals and businessmen. The aim was to relaunch a dialogue that would encourage decision makers to share knowledge and values in the complicated international context that was just emerging from the devastation of World War II.
In Italy, the Institute was established in 1984. Over the years, it has focused especially on Transatlantic relations – an issue that continues to take priority. The Aspen Italia headquarters is in Rome, a second office operates out of Milan and a third out of Venice.

Mission
Aspen Institute Italia’s mission is to internationalize the country’s entrepreneurial, political and cultural leadership, as well as to promote the free exchange of ideas and beliefs, in a search for common values, knowledge and interests. Programs focus on the problems and challenges facing today’s decision-makers in politics, economics, academia and the media, with particular attention to the business world.

Methodology
The “Aspen method” foresees open debate, in a reserved setting, so as to favor interpersonal relations and encourage effective and informative dialogue on the selected topics. Around the Aspen table, leaders from spheres of influence such as industry, economics, finance, politics, and culture freely exchange points of view, off the record and behind closed doors.

The goal is not to reach foregone conclusions, or spout reassuring platitudes, but to highlight the complicated reality of today’s world, and to encourage that intercultural dialogue from which universal ideals and values can emerge, to inspire a modern, well-informed leadership.